Related
Now we know that the full metal back plate is the sole reason of weak WiFi and bad GPS performance.
ASUS admited it, and we can read as well explanation from AnandTech:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5285/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-gps-issue-explained
So, what's the chance of ASUS redesigned the back plate?
Probably just patching the antenna area with plastic, that should be enough.
That would be awesome!
People used to laugh at Samsung because they always put plastic back cover. Now, suddenly we all need plastic one!
imho we still know nothing at all about the effects of the backplate.
Asus may well just be saying that because they got sick of the spam.
Until someone picks it apart and actually tries GPS without the backplate,
its all just merely a bunch of speculations.
It's amazing how dumb the engineers were know this one..... Not only the aluminum backplate but the placement and execution of the speaker is horrible not big enough holes to let the sound out well. Also just realized with Bluetooth on my speedtests are basically cut in half. Hopefully they fired the entire engineering department and are designing a 2nd Gen Prime right now.
Sokonomi said:
imho we still know nothing at all about the effects of the backplate.
Asus may well just be saying that because they got sick of the spam.
Until someone picks it apart and actually tries GPS without the backplate,
its all just merely a bunch of speculations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
Sokonomi said:
imho we still know nothing at all about the effects of the backplate.
Asus may well just be saying that because they got sick of the spam.
Until someone picks it apart and actually tries GPS without the backplate,
its all just merely a bunch of speculations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah we do know the effects of the back plate. There's a reason why smart engineers do not shield GPS with aluminium. I am fairly certain that some Asus people got in trouble for such a mistake.
Can we get an aftermarket plastic backplate? I'd buy one in a second. This device would go from zero to hero in my book.
EDIT: Trouble? Dude there are a bunch of former ASUS engineers LFW.
Those of you who call it speculation. Make a pouch out of some aluminum foil, press speedtest and put the tablet into the pouch and close it. Voila, NO WIFI/GPS/BT. It's like magic.
Very slim to none at least in the near future. Not only do they have to redesign the backplate, but they need to re-position the GPS, Bluetooth, and Wifi. Once they have that set, Asus needs to rework their production line (which isn't cheap) to be configured to the new changes.
Once everything is figured out.. it'll be re-branded/tagged as TF 201A or something to that degree.
Just wish there was a way to make a round window in the backing like apple has around the asus logo and put plastic plug in.....
This could have been a ground breaking product. In my opinion they have ruined their reputation with this fiasco. I have a feeling within the next three months we'll be seeing primes coming out with some type of plastic window. Which of course it will be too late for us to return ours. When you put out a wifi only version the wifi better work flawlessly.
Isn't there some typ of spray coating they could have used on the inside of the backing or on the outside to help in radio reception?
Well, if there is aftermarket plastic back plate, question is how to replace it? I don't think that is an easy task. I expect there is no screw or something easy that we can crack open using common tool (screw driver).
To be honest, if I were ASUS, I will stop current production and change the back plate design. Several options:
1. Put rounded "window" patch from plastic large enough in the antenna area. Or something like the 3G model of Apple iPad with that black bar patch.
2. Put some kind of (speaker) grill there for aesthetic design and hide the plastic patch underneath it.
Not the whole back plate though.
Probably this will cost a lot of money to "change" their current order of (millions) back plate, but I think changing this is much better for their future product image/ reputation, rather than selling as it is now.
Granted, not all people do care with crap GPS (I don't care! I wont use it as car navigation), but for example with WiFi. Current situation, put people in "doubt". Even though many tests proved WiFi is OK, not great, but sufficient enough. However, the doubt feeling is there ... "Will the WiFi good enough at my house?" ... knowing the device is NOT designed perfectly ...
That Anandtech article is great. I like how he points out the the ipad 2 wifi model doesn't support GPS either.
That's what I've got my phone for.
gogol said:
Now we know that the full metal back plate is the sole reason of weak WiFi and bad GPS performance.
ASUS admited it, and we can read as well explanation from AnandTech:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5285/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-gps-issue-explained
So, what's the chance of ASUS redesigned the back plate?
Probably just patching the antenna area with plastic, that should be enough.
That would be awesome!
People used to laugh at Samsung because they always put plastic back cover. Now, suddenly we all need plastic one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the link to that article. it was a good read. as far as the redisign goes, I'd side with what the Anandtech guy said and that it would be highly unlikely. too many units have been pushed out already. plus its main comoetitior, the wifi only ipad2 doesn't even have a GPS chip in it. only the 3g one. also the ipad2 having less wifi range than original Ipad based on placement of wifi antenna near speaker grill was a new one. if there is a redesign, it'll be down the road. too many units are being sold at a fast rate to stop production and redesign. despite the GPS flaw, this device is still selling like hotcakes. everywhere sells out instantly once available online. there are tons of people on backorder still. I still feel lucky to be able to own one so early. I'd do it all over again if I could.
now what would be cool is if Asus send us a voucher or something for a free 32gb memory card or major discount on a dock or something. I'd gladly take that instead.
Falhawk said:
That Anandtech article is great. I like how he points out the the ipad 2 wifi model doesn't support GPS either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because it doesn't have a GPS receiver...not a valid comparison, he only stated this for "popularity" not functionality...
markimar said:
Just wish there was a way to make a round window in the backing like apple has around the asus logo and put plastic plug in.....
This could have been a ground breaking product. In my opinion they have ruined their reputation with this fiasco. I have a feeling within the next three months we'll be seeing primes coming out with some type of plastic window. Which of course it will be too late for us to return ours. When you put out a wifi only version the wifi better work flawlessly.
Isn't there some typ of spray coating they could have used on the inside of the backing or on the outside to help in radio reception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know you meant return it to the store you purchased it from, but the Prime has a 1 year warranty from Asus.
gogol said:
Well, if there is aftermarket plastic back plate, question is how to replace it? I don't think that is an easy task. I expect there is no screw or something easy that we can crack open using common tool (screw driver).
To be honest, if I were ASUS, I will stop current production and change the back plate design. Several options:
1. Put rounded "window" patch from plastic large enough in the antenna area. Or something like the 3G model of Apple iPad with that black bar patch.
2. Put some kind of (speaker) grill there for aesthetic design and hide the plastic patch underneath it.
Not the whole back plate though.
Probably this will cost a lot of money to "change" their current order of (millions) back plate, but I think changing this is much better for their future product image/ reputation, rather than selling as it is now.
Granted, not all people do care with crap GPS (I don't care! I wont use it as car navigation), but for example with WiFi. Current situation, put people in "doubt". Even though many tests proved WiFi is OK, not great, but sufficient enough. However, the doubt feeling is there ... "Will the WiFi good enough at my house?" ... knowing the device is NOT designed perfectly ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not simple in business perspective. Asus really needs to be creative with their design because:
1. Prime got a lot of publicity for Aluminum backplate (they can't just replace the whole thing with plastic cover)
2. Apple patents.. Simply attaching RF window & Asus plastic cover to the likes of iPad 2 simply screams of lawsuit from Apple.
markimar said:
Just wish there was a way to make a round window in the backing like apple has around the asus logo and put plastic plug in.....
This could have been a ground breaking product. In my opinion they have ruined their reputation with this fiasco. I have a feeling within the next three months we'll be seeing primes coming out with some type of plastic window. Which of course it will be too late for us to return ours. When you put out a wifi only version the wifi better work flawlessly.
Isn't there some typ of spray coating they could have used on the inside of the backing or on the outside to help in radio reception?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asus reputation not ruined. The Prime is still the most desired and hard to find tablet out now. Despite GPS flaw, its still ground breaking technology. the GPS doesn't hold any weight when it comes to that title. at least we have a Gps chip period. ipad2 wifi version doesn't even have one. The Prime will still be known as the worlds first next generation Quad/5 core tablet that had alot of firsts. Best display out of any tablet out being another one.
as far as wifi goes,my unit doesn't have any issues or gripes in that regard. haven't noticed anything different than with my Ipad as far as connectivity and speed goes. once developers unlock bootloader and adjust the kernel values n such, we might end up having the best wifi of any tablet due to dual antennaes. plus we haven't even seen the positive impacts ICS will have on wireless performance with its updated drivers and better coding. only a few more days to go
shinzz said:
It's really not simple in business perspective. Asus really needs to be creative with their design because:
1. Prime got a lot of publicity for Aluminum backplate (they can't just replace the whole thing with plastic cover)
2. Apple patents.. Simply attaching RF window & Asus plastic cover to the likes of iPad 2 simply screams of lawsuit from Apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found an article about the patent:
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...s-new-kind-of-logo-antenna-for-portables.html
So, as long as it is not a "logo", ASUS should be safe, no?
setite said:
Those of you who call it speculation. Make a pouch out of some aluminum foil, press speedtest and put the tablet into the pouch and close it. Voila, NO WIFI/GPS/BT. It's like magic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. except the prime isn't a closed envelope, furthermore the GPS antenna isn't even facing towards the back.
If you want to do a REAL comparison, find a metal surface and put your phone ontop of it. See how the GPS reacts.
MAYBE it ll diminish just a little, but it will never be completely dead in the water like some if not most primes are.
gogol said:
Found an article about the patent:
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...s-new-kind-of-logo-antenna-for-portables.html
So, as long as it is not a "logo", ASUS should be safe, no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll never know with Apple. Heck, they filed a lawsuit against Samsung for creating rectangular tablet (that and bezel and few other ridiculous reason).
setite said:
Can we get an aftermarket plastic backplate? I'd buy one in a second. This device would go from zero to hero in my book.
EDIT: Trouble? Dude there are a bunch of former ASUS engineers LFW.
Those of you who call it speculation. Make a pouch out of some aluminum foil, press speedtest and put the tablet into the pouch and close it. Voila, NO WIFI/GPS/BT. It's like magic.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know why everyone likes to point to a full metal enclosure as proof of the poor engineering design. Its not analogous to the prime at all.
I have actually made an aluminum foil backing for my phone out of curiosity and it had zero effect on my speedtest results (didn't check gps).
Basically everything is pointing to the metal backing is the cause of the problems, although I too would love to actually see the results with a unit sans backplate.
cry me a river.
gogol said:
Well, if there is aftermarket plastic back plate, question is how to replace it? I don't think that is an easy task. I expect there is no screw or something easy that we can crack open using common tool (screw driver).
To be honest, if I were ASUS, I will stop current production and change the back plate design. Several options:
1. Put rounded "window" patch from plastic large enough in the antenna area. Or something like the 3G model of Apple iPad with that black bar patch.
2. Put some kind of (speaker) grill there for aesthetic design and hide the plastic patch underneath it.
Not the whole back plate though.
Probably this will cost a lot of money to "change" their current order of (millions) back plate, but I think changing this is much better for their future product image/ reputation, rather than selling as it is now.
Granted, not all people do care with crap GPS (I don't care! I wont use it as car navigation), but for example with WiFi. Current situation, put people in "doubt". Even though many tests proved WiFi is OK, not great, but sufficient enough. However, the doubt feeling is there ... "Will the WiFi good enough at my house?" ... knowing the device is NOT designed perfectly ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you're just going to repeat everything you heard Anand say?
None of that is going to happen, get over it.
I know there had been one person who was thinking about offering custom back plates to people, but it ended up being too expensive.
I just got my Prime yesterday and my Prime cannot even lock onto a satellite even when it is outdoors so I understand the pain everyone feels from this problem. It bothers me that the solution to this problem is quite simple, and yet very risky because no one wants to take apart their brand new Prime.
I would like to develop an affordable method to fix the antenna problems. But before I decide to take apart my Prime I want to make sure there would be enough interest because some people don't mind the GPS problems and others really want it to work like me.
If there is enough interest I will probably keep my Transformer Prime and start working on a solution. If not, I will probably return my Prime.
If you are interested simply submit your response in the poll. Also, I want to gauge what sort of money you guys would be willing to spend to have your back plates modified.
No...................
What would be awesome is a back cover that allowed larger batteries but not sure if they make the same batteries but larger mah's.
Look at it this way, in a couple of months there will be a solution that delivers great GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth performance for $100 without voiding your warranty. It's called the TF700. You get an HD display included for that extra $100 also.
BarryH_GEG said:
Look at it this way, in a couple of months there will be a solution that delivers great GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth performance for $100 without voiding your warranty. It's called the TF700. You get an HD display included for that extra $100 also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no guarantee or official tests done yet to say T-700 will have superior wireless performance. Remember the backplate is still all metal only with thin strip up top being plastic. so its still prone to interference from backplate. Any assumptions on wireless performance is clearly just speculation until hard facts come out. you should know this Barry..lol
Being realistic here:
If it was something I had to dremel myself, I wouldn't buy it. I would guess I'm like a decent portion of XDA here when I say I'm not exactly the most precise when it comes to DIY projects.
If it was something I had to send my prime in to do, I'd hesitate quite a bit. No offense or anything, but I'm not comfortable sending my electronics to someone I don't know and have never met. I'd wait a long while for reputation to build up. If it eventually did, I'd pay $20 + shipping, preferably with some kind of deposit.
If I were to send my back panel to someone and have them customize it, I'd be a little hesitant, but more willing than above. If it worked, and really fit perfectly it'd probably be the best of both worlds: my own shiny ASUS metal backing with a plastic strip along the top. I'd pay $35~50 for it.
If it was a full back panel that was plastic instead of aluminum - and fit perfectly with the case, which I would imagine is the hard part since lower tolerances = higher cost - I'd pay $25~40 for it.
Thinking about it, if it were to use the same metal backing for the outside, but simply cut a window out for the antennas (leaving frame in tact to preserve back cover seal), that'd be the ultimate solution.
I'm up for this as long the cover fits properly and looks like a tablet still. Maybe just drilling speaker holes near/around the antenna is enough to let the signal go out.
Shouldn't Asus be doing this themselves? If they are smart enough, they can offer people option to replace the back cover when they get sent back thru RMA. Better yet, they can make some money out of it by designing colored backplates that works and fits properly and sell them for $20-$40.
This way, people have a choice, go aluminum and get bad signal issues or go plastic to get better signals and choose the color to match your style.
Lol, talk about covering your [email protected] and turning a bug into a feature. Haha.
Going to be a Debbie downer..This is going to go no where. It will cost to much. No one - or very few - will want to attempt changing it. Voids warranty. Just not feasible. It will be a lot of hypothetical talk - like the last thread like this - then Peter out. Sorry.
demandarin said:
no guarantee or official tests done yet to say T-700 will have superior wireless performance. Remember the backplate is still all metal only with thin strip up top being plastic. so its still prone to interference from backplate. Any assumptions on wireless performance is clearly just speculation until hard facts come out. you should know this Barry..lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, in order to defend the Prime, you're willing to say Asus is totally incompetent and incapable of developing a tablet with GPS, Wi-Fi, and BT that don't require 100's of pages of forum debate? If they were so pleased with the Prime’s design, why wouldn’t they have just slapped an HD display on it and called it good? They’ve said that adding the plastic border was specifically to improve wireless performance. For Asus' sake, I hope they do get wireless right in the TF700.
I too would pass on this unless offered by ASUS. They extended the warranty 6 months longer for. All of their screw ups. With all the issues we are having out of the box, imagine if we come to find out that the lifetime of the tablets hardware last only 1 year? You could cry all about it and say you want yours fixed or replaced, but you wouldn't get it.
As with a lot of other things, they tend to break right after the warranty. Asus already had set 1 year for the warranty period. So if the above logic and phenomena takes place, then the fact that Asus extended your warranty for 6 months would all be for nothing.
Why would you want to sacrifice that? You can root and revert to stock. Technically you have voided your warranty, but what they don't know won't hurt. You can't revert to a stock backing... Not easily at least. And probably not without showing signs of tampering.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
BarryH_GEG said:
Look at it this way, in a couple of months there will be a solution that delivers great GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth performance for $100 without voiding your warranty. It's called the TF700. You get an HD display included for that extra $100 also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the solution that will make me happy, Asus has already designed the new backplate on the 700 plus the HD screen makes it worth waiting for. It's actually more in line with the tabs announced by the competition so the confidence level is high that Asus will minimize the faults. Past the holidays, they now have plenty of time to correct their mistakes.
I say go for it! Like the guy who fabricated the dock, I wouldn't do it or buy it. But you'll get props and be the first person, I know, to do it!
Sent from my DROID2 using xda premium
PurpleSh4rk said:
I know there had been one person who was thinking about offering custom back plates to people, but it ended up being too expensive.
I just got my Prime yesterday and my Prime cannot even lock onto a satellite even when it is outdoors so I understand the pain everyone feels from this problem. It bothers me that the solution to this problem is quite simple, and yet very risky because no one wants to take apart their brand new Prime.
I would like to develop an affordable method to fix the antenna problems. But before I decide to take apart my Prime I want to make sure there would be enough interest because some people don't mind the GPS problems and others really want it to work like me.
If there is enough interest I will probably keep my Transformer Prime and start working on a solution. If not, I will probably return my Prime.
If you are interested simply submit your response in the poll. Also, I want to gauge what sort of money you guys would be willing to spend to have your back plates modified.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, if you just copy the TF700T back cover your assuming the antennas havent been redesigned, which I believe they have done with the TF700T so the antennas lie directly behind the plastic strip.
junrider said:
Of course, if you just copy the TF700T back cover your assuming the antennas havent been redesigned, which I believe they have done with the TF700T so the antennas lie directly behind the plastic strip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes they have because the volume and headphones micro sd slot are all in different locations the only same part us the dock connectors
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
If it was easy to do, well documented, and improved my battery life without damaging my tablet, I would be willing to spend maybe <= $30 on a backplate kit.
WiFi/GPS performance are more than powerful enough for my needs and I'm working in a pretty crappy area to get WiFi. But, I feel that the battery life might be better if I could tune down the TX power and have a more penetrable backplate.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
I have never seen it proven that even removing the backplate increases gps results. Anyone have a link where it is proven other than a statement by ASUS? Like maybe a Prime with the back off that is navigating a vehicle without wifi on?
Evo_Shift said:
Anyone have a link where it is proven other than a statement by ASUS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The fact that rather than adding a HD display to the Prime they've gone to the trouble and expense of redesigning the TF700 sort of confirms in action what Asus has said all along. If by repositioning the antennas and adding a plastic border the TF700 doesn't have wireless issues, that will be your proof. From the tear down, all the Prime's wireless components are of high quality so there would be no reason to change them in the TF700.
Evo_Shift said:
I have never seen it proven that even removing the backplate increases gps results. Anyone have a link where it is proven other than a statement by ASUS? Like maybe a Prime with the back off that is navigating a vehicle without wifi on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not gonna happen. It won't function with the back off based on the tear down pictures.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
The Antenna Location issue
junrider said:
Of course, if you just copy the TF700T back cover your assuming the antennas havent been redesigned, which I believe they have done with the TF700T so the antennas lie directly behind the plastic strip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone who is not sure where the Antennas are located IN THE PRIME, has either forgotten, or never saw probably the best write up on the subject. This explaination by AnandTech was quoted (and misquoted) widely, but few used the diagrams. Further evidence is in his (seperate) article with a full teardown of a Prime:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5285/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-gps-issue-explained
See attached diagram. I sure Hope that Asus Has NOT moved the antennas. Have you all looked at the diagrams of the diversity WiFi and (single)GPS antennas in the Prime? They are ALREADY under where the plastic strip appears in the TF700T. That was what pissed me off the most, and the fact that it was 3 weeks into the Primes release. Had to take a LITTLE time to conceive, create and fit a new cover, from concept to working
model... say a few weeks? Ittseemed so obvious that it was a direct
response to the GPS issues, and AnandTechs discussion of plastic
covers over antennas, ala Apple.
On the redesigned back panel thing. While this may be a good way for Asus to recover a lot of lost faith and good will, this is no simple thing, and it is not as the OP envisions it. As good as his intentions might be, that back cover is super difficult to remove/replace as the gasket is pretty much all that holds the internals into the metal section. It is part of the Tablets structure, and it is the MAIN part that provides strength, structure, and integrity to the entire package. The other part, the Corning Gorilla Glass that covers the LCD is the other, but contributes substantially less. If you were to create a plastic section, or worse still an all plastic or polycarbonate, the unit would likely be a creaker and a squeaker. Plus, I think just disassembling these breaks the integrity of the unit, and I am not convinced that they can reassemble them as well as the manufacturing line can when they are built. A lot of reports came out of screens moving or being partially detached. Check the threads and see, but I suspect these were units disassembled for Wifi fixes perhaps. All I know is, cosmetically, mine is perfect, and I would be very concerned if it went in for service. Kind of like giving your Aston Martin to the tire guys at Walmart. You know they can do the work, but worry about what respect the hardware will get (usually it's none)
SmartAs$Phone said:
Anyone who is not sure where the Antennas are located IN THE PRIME, has either forgotten, or never saw probably the best write up on the subject. This explaination by AnandTech was quoted (and misquoted) widely, but few used the diagrams. Further evidence is in his (seperate) article with a full teardown of a Prime:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5285/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-gps-issue-explained
See attached diagram. I sure Hope that Asus Has NOT moved the antennas. Have you all looked at the diagrams of the diversity WiFi and (single)GPS antennas in the Prime? They are ALREADY under where the plastic strip appears in the TF700T. That was what pissed me off the most, and the fact that it was 3 weeks into the Primes release. Had to take a LITTLE time to conceive, create and fit a new cover, from concept to working
model... say a few weeks? Ittseemed so obvious that it was a direct
response to the GPS issues, and AnandTechs discussion of plastic
covers over antennas, ala Apple.
On the redesigned back panel thing. While this may be a good way for Asus to recover a lot of lost faith and good will, this is no simple thing, and it is not as the OP envisions it. As good as his intentions might be, that back cover is super difficult to remove/replace as the gasket is pretty much all that holds the internals into the metal section. It is part of the Tablets structure, and it is the MAIN part that provides strength, structure, and integrity to the entire package. The other part, the Corning Gorilla Glass that covers the LCD is the other, but contributes substantially less. If you were to create a plastic section, or worse still an all plastic or polycarbonate, the unit would likely be a creaker and a squeaker. Plus, I think just disassembling these breaks the integrity of the unit, and I am not convinced that they can reassemble them as well as the manufacturing line can when they are built. A lot of reports came out of screens moving or being partially detached. Check the threads and see, but I suspect these were units disassembled for Wifi fixes perhaps. All I know is, cosmetically, mine is perfect, and I would be very concerned if it went in for service. Kind of like giving your Aston Martin to the tire guys at Walmart. You know they can do the work, but worry about what respect the hardware will get (usually it's none)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the 201 backplate is anything similar to the 101, then removing it will be an easy task. And if the backplate can be modified in a shop by cutting a strip off the top, smoothing the rough edges and mating it with a strip of plastic, I think the cost will be affordable. Here's a video of the 101 backplate disassembly using a thin plastic release tool and a phillips screwdriver:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG9gEYRALtU
However, as pointed out, the fix must first be tested and proven to work on all Primes or at least those with no issues other than weakened rf signals.
...money on a tablet that Asus clearly didn't give a crap about. For $600, you can get a fast processor, thin and light tablet, bright screen AND:
- an ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE touchscreen digitizer (seriously, my kid's Toshiba Thrive 10" (which came out a year or so before) has a gorgeous digitizer, and the TF201 has a piece of junk bottom of the barrel. Touch-Screen Tune Up can't even help it. You cannot make a straight line for your life. you can't make a nice continuous curve at all, it's pathetically low resolution. At first I was frustrated because after I noticed things were crummy, I went to BestBuy to try it on the TF101, Thrive, and Xoom, and the TF101 still had issues, Xoom was ok, and the Thrive was the best. For a product that cost half as much as the TF201, it has an infinitely better digitizer)
- an exposed MicroSD card while in its slot, so it's nice and easy to accidentally bump it and pop it out.
- Nearly Zero accessory availability (they are always out of stock on chargers, cables, whatever)
- An all metal case that does indeed kill radio signals (who was the genius that came up with that one)
Ok, so the main issue is the terrible digitizer. Even when i'm scrolling up and down on a webpage, i see the screen jump every centimeter or so as my finger reaches a new digitizer point. It is a joke. The most important piece of hardware on a TOUCH device is the TOUCHSCREEN and it is easily the worst touchscreen on any touch device i've seen and it happens to be on the most expensive touch device i've ever seen. That's what really ticks me off. If I paid 100 bucks for it I wouldn't care so much since I would expect cheap parts, but for $600 I do not expect cheap parts.
And within a couple months of it's release they already announced the replacement 700 tablet, with the main changes being a higher res screen and a plastic port for radios to communicate. Nice going Asus. Your other products might be solid. You blew it on the TF201. I'd like to see how the 200$ Nexus 7 is with respect to the digitizer. for 1/3 of the price of the TF201, did asus use a crappy digitizer with it too??
My kid's first gen tablet has a top of the line digitizer and the one that cost over half a grand has one that looks like it came off a palm pilot.
/end rant/
ugh... i hate getting ripped of, and i hate incompetence.
Yea there are positive things about the tablet, there is a whole thread about that. But this really upsets me. When you buy flagship and literally state-of-the-art stuff, that's what you expect. Maybe I shouldn't have bought my son's $250 dollar tablet, then i wouldn't have known how badly Asus ripped of their customers on their $600 tablet.
i feel your pain bro. ASUS' "persistent perfection" motto kinda fail big time. maybe they were planning on using sub standard parts (e.g digitizer) and persistently trying to perfect it. Lost faith in ASUS, the tablet has no 2nd hand value, nobody wants a product filled with bugs, I can't even discard this device without feeling like asus conned my $600. is it even possible to ask for a refund?
Yea, I don't know. Just frustrating. The digitizer should be perfect. And on the cheap-a Thrive, it IS perfect. just not on the top of the line Transformer Prime.
Isn't there an Asus Rep on this forum? I'd like to ask him some things about it, maybe it can be replaced and fixed?? i don't know.
Please use one of the existing complaint threads. No need to make another one.
Closed.
Since a few months I own a prime, and in general I'm not very satisfied. Wifi, GPS and overall speed problems are the cause.
But now I found out that the dock touchpad is damaging the screen of the pad. I noticed because my screenprotector was damaged precisely where it touches the touchpad when the ensemble is closed. I thought this was because my screenprotector was too thick, so I ignored this.
But just some days ago I removed the screenprotector, and now there are some tiny marks on the screen exactly where it touches the touchpad. After close inspection I found out that the 'upper' part of the touchpad and the ridge above it (between the touchpad and the space key) are sticking out slightly, touching the screen. So whenever I close the ensemble, the touchpad and ridge will be touching the screen, thereby damaging it.
I'm curious if more user have this problem.
Should I RMA?
Also, I bought the transformer in Malaysia, but I live in the Netherlands, so I won't be able to return it to the retailer.
It is a design problem and all units are affected by this. I added stoppers to my unit so this would not happen, if you plan to rma, do so before the scratching damage causes the glass to crack completely.
heres a photo of my 'workaround'
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
qwertylesh said:
Regardless of where you brought it, raise the problem with asus locally. and to be more precise, its the lower keyboard lip scratching your screen.
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Click to collapse
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
Yeah I have too had screen scratches from dirt on the upper lip area and it made me pretty angry that they designed the rubber stoppers to be so ridiculously pointlessly thin.
I just purchased a second Dock today actually, same thing happens with it (I closed it once) so I wont be using that dock as a spare until I add extra stoppers to it either.
Adding stoppers should help prevent the glass from scratching from dirt but it's still a good idea just to ensure the upper part of your dock is clean when you close it.
I've had the exact same issue with the dock damaging the screen protector.
qwertylesh's stoppers idea sounds great and I am considering implementing it myself
But for now I am using a type of screen protector I got off Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MDTURG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
Does the job of protecting the screen, however the Prime and the dock do not feel very flush when closed.
I have done the same mod for my spare dock now, it works great, there's a similar stopper mod form all the corners but I find two on the glass is fine
DaLongTjeu said:
I found out that the exact same thing is happening with the 'upper keyboard lip'. So the screen is damaged on the bottom as well.
I looked at it closer, and it's not just the screen that's being damaged by the 'keyboard lips'. The touchpad on the dock itself also appears scratched. Probably some hard dust got stuck between the screen and the touchpad.
Wow, this really makes me angry. When I get back home next week I'm not getting off the phone with Asus before they promise to change my TF for an Infinity (not very realistic I know but worth a try).
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I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
ratman6161 said:
I have not seen this happening - perhaps because I'm using a portfolio sort of case that by it's nature provides a similar sort of buffer between the screen and the dock.
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That also crossed my mind, but how easy and fast is it to disconnect the screen from the dock? Do you have to take it out of the portfolio case or can you leave it in?
ratman6161 said:
My question though is why you would expect an Infinity to be any different? I haven't had the opportunity to actually examine one up close but from the pictures, both the front of the device and the dock look nearly identical to the Prime. So wouldn't you expect to have the same problem with the Infinity?
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I don't expect it to be different. Or maybe I do, if this damaging of the screen issue is something many people complained about. Perhaps they use slightly higher stoppers on the dock that comes with the Infinity? But you're probable right, the dock is most likely exactly the same.
Still I would exchange my TF for an Infinity without thinking, just because the other issues with the TF (Wifi, gps, performance) drive me insane! Or better still, get a refund and spend my hard earned money on something that's actually worth it. Of course, a refund will only happen in my dreams...
they (TF700) use the exact same stoppers and have the same issue.
was also getting the scratches. quick fix for me is just putting a screen cleaner wipe in between the Prime and the dock. i do intend to do a similar mod to Qwertylesh soon.
I did this^ for quite some time, I had a thinner one then what came with my TF201 that I used.
Word of caution, if you have the silver tablet, dont use a cloth that is a darker or notable color, it can (oddly enough) discolour the touchpad eventually.
My silver touchpad has some dark staining, its no big deal (especially now that I have 2 docks), just want to let you know that i've done what your doing and it does work as a stopgap just dont use a black or dark cloth, stick to white/sliver microfiber if you can.
Hi, to start off sorry if this is not in the right location.
I thought I might get the ball rolling and possibly spark the idea if it's not already an option for use on more than just one phone.
I really hate my Xperia Z2 for one reason. The glass backplate of the phone can shatter easily.
Sure, you can buy a replacement but the quality is garbage in comparison to oem and I've heard Sony will replace it for 200$ USD? forget that.
I've replaced the cover buying from ebay and amazon and after getting my fourth replacement, it cracked just applying it to my phone...
So my question is, how do I get my hands on an aluminum replacement or some sort of metal that will at least stand the test of time?
I'm also thinking of getting in touch with a sheet metal fabricator, as I see no other options out there or just keep using the phone without a backplate and a bulky case. The Z2 is still kicking ass otherwise so I really think it's crazy to replace my phone that's only a few years old and
let it sit there collecting dust cause of a cosmetic issue.
SkyboneNoya said:
Hi, to start off sorry if this is not in the right location.
I thought I might get the ball rolling and possibly spark the idea if it's not already an option for use on more than just one phone.
I really hate my Xperia Z2 for one reason. The glass backplate of the phone can shatter easily.
Sure, you can buy a replacement but the quality is garbage in comparison to oem and I've heard Sony will replace it for 200$ USD? forget that.
I've replaced the cover buying from ebay and amazon and after getting my fourth replacement, it cracked just applying it to my phone...
So my question is, how do I get my hands on an aluminum replacement or some sort of metal that will at least stand the test of time?
I'm also thinking of getting in touch with a sheet metal fabricator, as I see no other options out there or just keep using the phone without a backplate and a bulky case. The Z2 is still kicking ass otherwise so I really think it's crazy to replace my phone that's only a few years old and
let it sit there collecting dust cause of a cosmetic issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Metal is a bad idea because it'll block the radio signals. Yes, there's plenty of metal-framed phones, but they all have plastic strips or some other means of not blocking signals. If the phone's not deliberately designed that way, it won't work well. For example, when I briefly had a Note 3, I got one of those aluminum/carbon fibre cases, and even though the back was only a skeletonized aluminum, it still dropped my signal by 1 or 2 bars.
Carbon fibre, however, would be a pretty cool choice. I have no idea the thickness of the back glass on the Z2, but you can probably find sheets of the appropriate thickness, even if it's a flexible sheet. It won't exactly be cheap (probably ~$20 for a 6x6" sheet of whatever), but it'd look really cool and definitely stand the test of time.
Planterz said:
Metal is a bad idea because it'll block the radio signals. Yes, there's plenty of metal-framed phones, but they all have plastic strips or some other means of not blocking signals. If the phone's not deliberately designed that way, it won't work well. For example, when I briefly had a Note 3, I got one of those aluminum/carbon fibre cases, and even though the back was only a skeletonized aluminum, it still dropped my signal by 1 or 2 bars.
Carbon fibre, however, would be a pretty cool choice. I have no idea the thickness of the back glass on the Z2, but you can probably find sheets of the appropriate thickness, even if it's a flexible sheet. It won't exactly be cheap (probably ~$20 for a 6x6" sheet of whatever), but it'd look really cool and definitely stand the test of time.
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Click to collapse
Nice, I didn't think about signal blocking. Carbon fiber sounds cool.